Aladağlar is home to many different and important bird species. Many bird watchers 

visit Aladağlar every year, especially around may. Caspian snow cock (Tetraogallus 

caspius), Lammergeier (Gypaetus arbatus) and Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) are 

among the most popular birds.Other Bird Species: Other species you may see here are 

Radde’s Accentor, Crimson-winged Finch, Alpine Accentor, Red-fronted Serin, Chukars, 

Wallcreeper, Snowfinch, Alpine Chough, Chough, Finsch’s Wheatear, Rose-colored 

Starling and Olivaceous Warbler.

 

Having been living and mountaineering professionally in Aladağlar for several years, Caspian snowcock are very well known to us. Most of the time we can see them fly with the naked eye and hear their songs. We even have moments with them staring at each other. Sometimes they fly above us and sometimes we watch them fly below from the top of the mountains. They always do share our solitude in the mountains. If you also want to experience living with them, we recommend camping overnight in Akşam Pınarı or Vali Konağı. This way you may wake up to their magnificent songs and feel like you’re in paradise.

 

Main Birdwatching Spots:

The most important birdwatching spot in Aladağlar is without doubt the Arpalık Yayla.

Arpalık plateau (2200 mt.) For Caspian snowcock, you should be here 

very early in the morning, before sunrise around 03:30 - 04:00. There is a dirt road 

just to the right of the Mountain hut in Demirkazık village, take that road and you 

will start climbing. When in junction, take the left to continue climbing.In a little while,

you’ll reach the Sokullupınar Campground.Hereyou should take left and continue 

towards Arpalık Yayla. However the road gets steeper at that point, you may need to 

enter the road with a velocity and pay more attention after that.

 

Mostly regular car can climb this part. If your vehicle would not climb, you may 

need to park there and walk the rest for nearly 50 minutes. You also have the option 

to book a jeep transfer from the Demirkazık village directly to Arpalık Yayla, which takes

up about 20 minutes. After the drive you can immediately start birdwatching without

any need for walking. However, the weather is very chilly in early mornings, you need

to gear up accordingly. We also recommend carrying a thermos flask with hot water.

This placealso may be a little crowded thanks to its popularity as a birdwatching spot.

 

Chrome mine, Susuz tepe.2300mt. Another birding spot is Susuz Tepe, which is 

located in Maden Boğazı.This was a chromium mine many years ago. There’s a dirt 

road on the right in the entrance of Pınarbaşı village, which will take you directly to the mine. However, it is impossible with a standard vehicle, so we recommend you to rent a jeep. The road may also be partially blocked with snow in may, so you may need to walk

a little. You will also come across many flocks of wild goats.

 

Cımbar Valley (1600 mt.) Cımbar Valley is quite popular as a birding 

spot, as well as it is for rock climbing. It is especially a habitat of Alpine Chough. You 

can reach the entrance of the valley with a standart vehicle. By making a short walking 

tour inside the valley, you may expect to see many different species including and

perhaps the most important of them all, the Golden eagle (Agulia chrysaetos).

 

Sarımehmetler Camp Site (1600 mt.) It is located in the south part of Aladağlar. 

You may reach here with a standard vehicle, by taking the dirt road that comes after

Martı Mahallesi in Çukurbağ. 500 meters after the bridge, take the right road which will take you directly to Sarımehmetler, which is aroud 8 km.s from Martı Mahallesi. 

The terrain is mostly woods, so you may expect to see many different mammals and

birds. On the way, you have a good chance to see a Golden eagle (Agulia chrysaetos) hunting for ground squirrels.